Dr. Manmohan Singh was a renowned economist, scholar, and statesman who served as the 13th Prime Minister of India from 2004 to 2014. Born on September 26, 1932, in Gah (now in Pakistan), Singh's life was remembered for his dedication to public service and academic excellence.
A graduate of Punjab University, Cambridge University, and Oxford University, Dr. Singh was recognised globally for his contributions to economics and public policy. His tenure as Finance Minister (1991-1996) was particularly notable, as he spearheaded transformative economic reforms that liberalised India's economy, pulling the nation back from the brink of a financial crisis and setting it on a trajectory of growth and globalization.
As Prime Minister, Singh oversaw a period of significant economic expansion, championing policies that strengthened India's global stature, including the Indo-US Civil Nuclear Agreement. He emphasised inclusive growth, expanding social welfare programs like the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) and the Right to Education Act.
Despite his successes, his tenure was marked by criticism over policy paralysis and corruption scandals, particularly in his second term. Known for his humility, intellect, and integrity, Dr. Singh died on December 26, 2024.
On this Special Report, the focus is on the presentation of the Union Budget 2026 as Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman heads to Parliament. The transcript captures the live movement of the Finance Minister's convoy from Rashtrapati Bhavan to the new Parliament building after seeking formal permission from the President of India. A key moment highlighted is when the reporter notes, 'This is the convoy of Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman which is now heading towards the Parliament' for the crucial Cabinet meeting. The programme discusses the evolution of budget presentations from 1985 to the current televised era, noting how finance ministers have become more conscious of a national audience. Analysts on the show deliberate on the shift from tax-heavy budgets to those focused on tariffs and infrastructure. The discussion further explores the government's significant investments in roads and power since 2020, questioning the remaining fiscal headroom for continued infrastructural spending as the nation awaits the official tabling of the budget at 11 am.
On this India Today special, veteran journalist Rajdeep Sardesai reflects on the evolution of the Union Budget in India, tracing his experience back to 1994. Recalling his early days at NDTV, Sardesai notes, 'In 1994, I was at NDTV when we were commissioned to do the post-budget reactions' outside the BSE. He highlights how the post-1991 era brought a unique excitement to budget announcements that persists today, despite the process becoming more 'mundane' following major tax reforms. The discussion covers the shift from high-stakes policy changes to the current market preference for stability and the absence of 'retrospective tax bombshells'. Sardesai also addresses the impact of global geopolitics on the Indian economy, questioning the influence of external leaders on India's sovereign energy decisions, specifically regarding oil imports from Venezuela and Iran. The panel further examines the feasibility of the government's disinvestment targets and the long-term roadmap for defense allocations in the upcoming budget by Nirmala Sitharaman.
The India Today-CVoter 'Mood of the Nation' poll, a comprehensive survey with a sample size of over 90,000 participants, indicates and highlights the public's perception of economic management, where 54% of respondents prefer Prime Minister Narendra Modi's handling of the economy compared to 36% for former PM Dr Manmohan Singh.
On this Special Report, editor Rajdeep Sardesai leads a panel discussion on the latest 'Mood of the Nation' survey following the tabling of the Economic Survey 2026 by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. The data reveals a significant 9% increase in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's economic approval rating since August 2025, with 54% of respondents preferring his leadership over former PM Manmohan Singh. Sardesai notes, 'It is real livelihood issues that affect people that was a concern over the economy at the time.' The programme examines the impact of next-generation GST reforms, new labour codes, and the trade deal with the European Union. While opposition leader Salman Soz highlights concerns over weak consumption and contracting tax collections, BJP's Zafar Islam defends the government's macro-stability. The discussion concludes that while India remains a fast-growing economy, the public experience remains split, with the survey preparing the nation for global headwinds ahead of Budget 2026.
In an exclusive interaction with India Today at Davos, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar addressed the ongoing speculation regarding the state's leadership transition.
An unidentified speaker has launched a scathing attack on the state Governor, accusing the office of acting as a 'puppet in the hands of the union government'. The speaker alleged that the Governor violated Sections 176 and 163 of the Constitution by refusing to read the speech prepared by the cabinet, opting instead to read only a single paragraph. 'The governor didn't read the speech given by the cabinet and he wanted to read his own speech,' the speaker stated, labeling the move as unethical and unconstitutional. The address also focused on the dilution of the MGNREGA scheme, referred to as 'Manreka', noting that the right to work and local panchayat powers have been abolished under new central tenets. The speaker confirmed that party MLAs and MLCs will launch state-wide protests until the 'anti-farmer' policies are repealed and the original employment guarantees are reinstated, asserting that the opposition is intentionally defending these changes due to a lack of freedom.
On this special broadcast, renowned foreign policy analyst Fareed Zakaria discusses the geopolitical volatility of a 'Trump 2.0' era and its implications for India. Zakaria argues that the United States is abdicating its role as a global stabilizer, leading to a 'Post-American World' marked by instability. Regarding India's strategy, Zakaria suggests that New Delhi should 'manage him, try to humor him' by leveraging grand spectacles to appeal to Donald Trump’s personality. He notes that while India’s economy is resilient due to high domestic consumption, a partnership with the US remains vital for moving up the technological value chain. Zakaria also touches upon the risks of a global tariff war, Trump's obsession with the Nobel Peace Prize, and the limitations of China and Russia as alternative global leaders. He concludes that India must remain patient and focused on modernization, as time and economic momentum are currently on its side.
In this New Year special, India Today’s Rajdeep Sardesai discusses expectations for 2026 with a panel of experts. Columnist Tavleen Singh emphasizes the need for education and healthcare reform, hoping the government rectifies past neglect. BJP leader Swapan Dasgupta anticipates a party victory in the upcoming West Bengal elections, aiming to restore the state's status. Author Sanjaya Baru calls for the operationalization of the 'Ease of Living' mission promised by PM Modi in August 2024, citing issues like KYC norms. India Today's Raj Chengappa urges a shift from 'reform express' to a 'bullet train' by reducing bureaucracy. Senior journalist Ashutosh raises concerns about social harmony and the government's record on deportation.
In a sweeping account of India's most turbulent decades, a key media figure recounts the nation's defining moments from 1985 to 1995 in this episode of IndiaToday@50 series.
This Special Report focuses on the enduring diplomatic presence of the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, on the global stage. The segment highlights his unique perspective having witnessed significant world changes throughout the tenures of three Indian Prime Ministers: Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Manmohan Singh, and Narendra Modi. The narrative underscores the continuity of Russia-India relations across different eras of Indian leadership. By tracing this timeline, the report emphasizes the Russian President's long-standing role in international geopolitics and his interactions with New Delhi's changing political landscape.
On this Special Report, India Today’s Anjali Estwal breaks the news that the new Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) complex has been renamed ‘Seva Teerth’. This change aligns with the government’s ideology of ‘Seva’ (service) over ruling, following previous renamings like Lok Kalyan Marg and Kartavya Path. Reporter Aishwarya Paliwal explains that the nomenclature reflects the vision of a developed nation by 2047 and the Prime Minister’s role as a ‘Pradhan Sevak’. However, Congress leader Udit Raj strongly criticizes the move, stating, ‘Seva hi nahi hogi, baaki sab kuch hoga’ (There will be no service, only everything else). He argues the renaming is a distraction, claiming the Prime Minister is inaccessible to the public and business groups compared to former PM Manmohan Singh. The programme debates whether this is a meaningful shift in governance or merely symbolic.
A political firestorm erupts ahead of the winter session of Parliament after Prime Minister Narendra Modi accuses the opposition of engaging in 'drama'. On this special report, Congress National Spokesperson Dr. Shama Mohammed hits back, calling the Prime Minister the 'drama king at the end of the day'. The debate, featuring BJP National Spokesperson Dr. Syed Zafar Islam, centres on the opposition's demand for discussions on the controversial SIR process, the deaths of over 40 Booth Level Officers (BLOs), severe air pollution in Delhi, and a recent terror attack at the Red Fort. While the BJP maintains it is open to all discussions and accuses the opposition of disrupting Parliament for cameras, the opposition argues it is the government's duty to run the House and address people-centric issues.
This report covers the National Democratic Alliance's landslide victory in the Bihar Assembly elections, paving the way for Nitish Kumar to continue as Chief Minister. The bulletin discusses the BJP emerging as the single largest party and features reactions from alliance leaders, including Union Minister Chirag Paswan and Union Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi, who have endorsed Kumar's leadership. An alliance leader stated, 'This victory of this nature unprecedented, a sense that was given by Bihar that they believe in this joint leadership of Prime Minister Modi and Nitish Kumar'. The programme also touches upon the celebration at the BJP headquarters led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and reflects on Bihar's development trajectory, referencing the era of the late former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
In an exclusive interview with India Today TV, former Commerce Minister Anand Sharma provides his assessment of the next-generation GST reforms.
A special NIA court acquitted all seven accused, including Sadhvi Pragya Thakur and Lieutenant Colonel Prasad Purohit, in the 2008 Malegaon blast case after 17 years.
In this episode of UnPolitics, Union Agriculture Minister and former four-time Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, discusses his long political career, plans for his state and retirement and more with Preeti Choudhry.
A credit war has erupted over India's mega infrastructure push. The Congress party claims that the foundation for these projects was laid during the UPA government's tenure. The party asserts that massive Bihar projects were initiated under UPA 1 and UPA 2, with significant expenditure approved by then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. The Congress also credits India's current economic status to Manmohan Singh's policies and the liberalization of the economy.
Shashi Tharoor's statement praising the Modi government's response to terror attacks has sparked a controversy within the Congress party. Tharoor defended his remarks, stating he was 'explicitly speaking only about reprisals against terror attacks, not about previous wars'. The Congress leadership, including Pawan Khera and Jairam Ramesh, have publicly criticised Tharoor's comments, with some calling for disciplinary action against him.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is supporting Congress MP Shashi Tharoor's statement that no surgical strikes took place before 2016. BJP cites the Army's Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) confirming this in an official response. Congress leaders are criticising Tharoor, creating an internal rift. The controversy stems from Tharoor's remarks during an official overseas delegation. Congress claims multiple surgical strikes occurred during their tenure, while BJP backs the Army's version.
Sharmistha Mukherjee, daughter of former President Pranab Mukherjee, told India Today that the memorial controversy reflects the "rotten mindset" of Congress. She added, "My father believed state honours, including memorials, should never be sought or demanded, but offered."
